SHELTON HERITAGE SOCIETY OF GEORGIA & HISTORIC POSSUM TROT, INC.
Ancestral Family of Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton
Research. Advocacy. Legacy. Preservation. Community.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin, Berry College
Preserving the Past. Enhancing the Present. Elevating the Future.
The Shelton Heritage Society of GA & Historic Possum Trot, Inc. is a nonprofit/nonstock corporation founded on the principle of restoration. We are committed to the preservation, promotion, documentation, research, and advocacy of the rich history and legacy of Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton, including, but not limited to, highlighting both the family’s origin and descendant community’s contributions to agriculture, business, education, and community. Our work also encompasses the Shelton family's ties to the African diaspora, Indigenous heritage, enslavement, Coosa, Possum Trot (formerly known as Pleasant Hill), Virginia, North Carolina and the Cathey-Shelton Family Settlement in Robertson County, Texas and other regions where Hardy and Mary and their descendants settled. Through historical research, community service, advocacy, and educational initiatives, we seek to honor our ancestors, strengthen and reconnect family lines, and ensure that the family’s impact is recognized for generations to come. Informally affiliated with the research site Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot, of which our founder is the creator, we support all efforts to preserve and expand the knowledge of the Shelton family’s history.
SHS Celebrates Juneteenth!
In celebration of Juneteenth and in continuation of our series Preserving the Legacy: Stories, Sites, and Heritage, the Shelton Heritage Society invites you to two powerful events that center African American genealogy, history, and preservation. These sessions are designed to empower attendees to reclaim and preserve their family legacies with purpose and care.
On Friday, June 20, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM EST, join us for "Juneteeth - Rooted & Grounded: The Basics -A Micro-Workshop & Genealogy Lab." This beginner-friendly session, led by the Shelton Heritage Society team, will guide participants through foundational tools for family history research. Topics include mindset and preparation, using census and death records, strategies for researching African American families before and after slavery, an introduction to DNA, tips for building a research network, and ways to preserve your family’s legacy. The evening will close with a live Q&A and lab work session where attendees can ask questions and receive guidance as they begin or continue their research.
Then, on Wednesday, June 26, at 7:00 PM EST, join us for "From Memory to Legacy: A Conversation with Niya Bates and Dr. Shelley Murphy." This inspiring discussion will feature two leaders in the fields of historic preservation and African American genealogy. Niya Bates and Dr. Shelley Murphy will share their experiences and expertise on preserving Black cemeteries, uncovering hidden narratives, and engaging descendant communities in meaningful preservation efforts.
Join us as we honor our ancestors, uplift our stories, and continue the work of preservation and remembrance. Both events are free, virtual and open to the public. Sign up below:
Thank You for Celebrating 150 Years of Legacy with Us!
Thank you to everyone who took part in our 150th anniversary event. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your contributions. While our gathering was intimate, its impact was profound. Every shared story, conversation, and moment of reflection played a vital role in preserving and honoring the rich legacy of the Shelton family.
Thank you for being part of this journey! Click the button below to watch the highlights, featuring national and international award-winning Maryland-based poet Gayle Danley, whose work has been showcased on such media outlets as CBS and in The New York Times. You can learn more about Danley at HERE.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin - Berry College
Cultural Advocacy.
The Shelton Heritage Society advocates for the preservation and recognition of the Shelton family’s historical contributions, both locally and nationally. Beyond historical documentation, the organization’s efforts include collaboration with descendants, community members, experts and organizations in history and preservation to ensure the Shelton family’s legacy is honored.
The Shelton Heritage Society of GA & Historic Possum Trot, Inc. (Shelton Heritage Society/SHS) is strongly committed to in-depth historical research. For over eight years, extensive genealogical and archival research, in which our leadership has played a critical role, has uncovered vital documents and other information contributing to the renaming of the Possum Trot Cemetery to the Shelton Family Cemetery and the installation of a historical marker on the site of the Shelton family’s historic Possum Trot settlement located at what is now known as Berry College. (Pictured: Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot historical marker installed 2021 - Dedicated 2022)
Research Curation.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin - Berry College
Historic Preservation.
Not only does SHS raise awareness about the physical and cultural landmarks associated with the Shelton family’s history, but we are also engaged in preserving the family’s intangible heritage. Through a collaborative effort, we strive to preserve Shelton-connected historic sites, such as the former homestead of Lee and Frances “Fannie” Shelton Cathey in Robertson County, Texas, along with any related material culture and documentation.
Central to our mission is the belief that healing, empowerment, and transformation can come from reconnection and awareness of one’s legacy. Committed to reconnecting descendants of Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton after decades of separation, SHS is also working to reestablish ties with the origin family of our ancestors. We strive to create a space where healing and unity can thrive. Could you be a descendant? If so, click the link below!
Legacy Cultivation & Reconnection.
According to oral history passed down by the descendants of Lee and Fannie Shelton Cathey, during the Great Depression, their children shared crops from their fields in Robertson County, Texas, with people of all races to help ensure no families went hungry. Across the nation, our family believes in helping others and has a strong tradition of giving back to their communities. At SHS, we believe in the undeniable impact of reaching back to help those in need.
Service to Our Community.
Listen as a descendant and one of the Cathey and Shelton family historians and genealogy researchers, describes the history of the Shelton family at Possum Trot, Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton’s last known homestead in Rome, Georgia, and the impact of her fourth great grandparent’s legacy.
WCLK Atlanta Jazz Interview.
The Impact of Knowing One’s Family History
Watch as William Alexander Monroe, III, a third great-grandson of Pinkney and Laura Shelton Franklin, describes what being on the land of his ancestors and the cemetery where his ancestors rest means to him. Evidence suggests that Laura may be buried in the Shelton Family Cemetery at Possum Trot.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin - Berry College
At SHS, we are deeply committed to restorative practices that promote healing and justice as we embark upon this sacred work. Our mission is not only to preserve and document the rich history of the Shelton family but also to address the historical injustices faced by our ancestors. Through restorative practices, we aim to reconnect descendants, rebuild relationships, and create a space for open dialogue about our shared heritage. We believe that by honoring the past and fostering a spirit of healing, we can move forward together, ensuring that the legacy of our ancestors, which is shared equally by all descendants, continues to inspire and uplift future generations.
A Sacred Work. Restorative Practices.
Upcoming Events & Announcements
Lunch & Legacy: A Conversation with the Family of 6888th Battalion Member PFC Elouise V. Hudgins Rice (McMichael Hall) - To Be Honored with Congressional Gold Medal on April 29, 2025
Join us for Lunch and Legacy – A Conversation as we honor Private First Class Elouise V. Hudgins Rice (McMichael Hall) in honor of the 6888th being formally awarded on April 29, 2025 with the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, D.C.. We’ll discuss her legacy and her family’s rich ties to two historic African American communities through a presentation, Q&A session, and family interview.
Join us for Descendant on Stage: Kim Banks – Love and Tradition on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 7 pm EST as Kim shares her journey of honoring family legacy, keeping traditions alive, and celebrating the proud history of the Banks family, a well-known branch of the family rooted in faith, service, and community.
Through her personal story, Kim highlights the importance of family gatherings, the power of staying connected across generations, and the deep values passed down by the Banks family. Her reflections remind us of the lasting impact of love, tradition, and resilience in shaping who we are today.
Descendant on Stage - Love and Tradition with Kim Banks
Historic Preservation Series Launch - Preserving the Legacy - Stories, Sites, and Heritage! From Memory to Legacy: A Roadmap for Preserving Historic Sites and Stories - An Introductory Session on Descendant and Community Heritage Preservation
Join us Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 7 p.m. EST as preservationist Niya Bates, a Princeton Ph.D. candidate and former director of African American history at Monticello as she shares strategies for protecting historic sites in historically marginalized communities, empowering descendant communities, and preserving stories for future generations.
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Photo Credit: Deidra Roberson - Descendant
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin - Berry College
Photo Credit: Deidra Roberson - Descendant
Photo Credit: Deidra Roberson - Descendant